What Will Cowboy Basketball Rotations Look Like in 2017-2018?

Several weeks ago, I wrote a piece about the current scholarship situation for next year’s Cowboy basketball team. As it always is in the midst of a coaching change, the roster has been and continues to be in a state of transition.

Since then, Cal-Northridge senior graduate transfer Kendall Smith has transferred to Stillwater, eligible to play immediately. Davon Dillard, after a little scare on Instagram, will return. And questions still abound for incoming freshman Souleymane Diakite and Latravian Glover.

Let’s start with Smith. The play-making point guard is expected to step in and compete for the starting point guard spot. He’s no Jawun Evans, but he appears to bring significant experience and explosiveness to the team.

Even with the addition of Smith, there are still other questions to be asked as summer nears — namely, will one of Diakite/Glover make it to campus? Also, what’s the deal with Tavarius Shine and his back injury? OSU is currently at its limit with 13 scholarships, but a shakeup could still take place.

It’s hard to say at this point. Of Diakite/Shine/Glover, only one will be on the squad next year, to get down to the scholarship limit of 13, barring the transfer of another player on the roster.

That being said.. let’s take a quick stab at what the rotations might look like for Mike Boynton in his first year.

Starting 5

• Center: Mitch Solomon, 6’9, 245 lbs.
• Power Forward: Cam McGriff, 6’7, 215 lbs.
• Small Forward: Jeffrey Carroll, 6’6, 215 lbs.
• Shooting Guard: Lindy Waters III, 6’6, 200 lbs.
• Point Guard: Kendall Smith, 6’3, 190 lbs.

The starting five, to begin the year, will likely feature two starters from last year’s squad. Mitch Solomon at center and pre-season Big 12 POTY candidate Jeffrey Carroll. These two are fairly set in stone, at least to start the year (more on this in a moment).

At the other forward spot, Cam McGriff looks like a good bet to win a starting spot. McGriff battled a few injuries and your traditional learning curve as a freshman, but the ultra-athletic forward has all the tools to become an impact player in the Big 12.

His girl will never look at him the same again after getting dunked on like that. #GoPokes https://t.co/AG2jrdWCWL

— Yves Batoba (@YBatoba) November 24, 2016

At the guard spots, Waters will have a great chance to start at the 2. You can say many of the same things as McGriff above- the former 4-star recruit from Norman showed moments of brilliance, but was sidelined by injuries quite a bit down the stretch. Lindy can play, and if he can stay healthy, should win a starting role.

At point guard, there are several options: Smith has an advantage over challengers Zack Dawson and Brandon Averette as a fifth-year college player — we’ll slot him in for the point guard to start the year (more on this in a second as well). Miami (Ohio) transfer Michael Weathers Jr. is sadly not eligible to play until 2018.

Bench

• F Davon Dillard, 6’5, 215 lbs.
• G Brandon Averette, 5’11, 175 lbs.
• G Zack Dawson, 6’3, 180 lbs.
• G/F Tavarius Shine, 6’6, 200 lbs.
• C Lucas N’Guessan, 7’0, 215 lbs.
• C Yankuba Sima, 6’11, 225 lbs.
• G Thomas Dziagwa, 6’4, 180 lbs.
• F Souleymane Diakite/Latravian Glover

The great news for the Cowboys? They will have plenty of capable depth in 2017-2018, with a couple potential impact players off the bench. Starting with the bigs, Yankuba Sima will be eligible to play around the beginning of conference play.

The St. John’s transfer averaged 2.5 blocks a game as a freshman in the Big East and may very well force his way into the starting 5. The Cowboys do not have another rim protector on the roster like Sima. N’Guessan will provide depth at center.

At the forward spot, Davon Dillard will play huge minutes off the bench, if he’s not starting. The mega-athletic small forward became an impact player in conference play last year, and can contribute at several positions due to his freakish athletic ability and defense. If OSU can get one of Diakite/Glover, both would be able to spell McGriff at the 4. But again, the roster is currently full so that would require someone else to transfer.

The guards will be fascinating as well. Averette established himself as a solid backup point guard as a true freshman and will likely see a lot of minutes at point as well. But don’t overlook Dawson. The freshman from Miami is the top incoming recruit in this class and has all the tools to be a star in Stillwater.

Dawson’s development will be a major storyline for the Cowboys in 2017-2018, as an heir apparent in the backcourt, with Weathers Jr.

Thomas Dziagwa has gotten a little love as a potential breakout player as a sophomore, but it will be hard for him to get minutes with his defensive struggles as a freshman. It remains to be seen how much playing time will be available.

So there you have it. A starting 5 of Solomon/McGriff/Clip/Lindy/Smith may have some offensive struggles, but the hope is Smith can emerge as a reliable scoring option at point guard to pair with Carroll, and McGriff/Lindy can expand in their roles in the offense as sophomores. Otherwise, the Pokes will really struggle to keep up in the high-flying Big 12.

A positive? The starting 5 above looks much improved defensively over last year’s team. There is much more length on the perimeter to control Big 12 guards in a way that the quick but dimunitive Evans/Forte backcourt couldn’t. If you swap out the rim-protecting Sima for Solomon or slide Mitch to the 4 when Sima becomes eligible, you add significant size and rebounding ability as well.

The bench offers significant versatility and some scoring options as well: Dillard, Averette, Sima, Dawson will all likely see a lot of minutes, and one of Diakite/Glover can really help on the boards. Dizzy is instant offense. And Shine, if returning, provides an experienced 3-and-D option that was missed last year. N’Guessan needs to bulk up, but when was the last time a legit 7-footer was the 3rd center on the roster in Stillwater?

The cupboard is not completely bare for MBJ in year one, but he’ll have to get creative with his options and find an identity early on: will it be a fast-paced run and gun offense? Length and athleticism on the defensive end? We don’t know yet. It’ll be fascinating to watch unfold.